Social Cognitive Theory w6 a1

Running Head : Social Cognitive Theory

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Social cognitive theory is a human behavioral theory which tries to evaluate , the human behaviors . The theory state that human behavior is self regulated . The theory is on opinion that human behavior changes not because of an external force of command but due to intrinsic forces that influences their behavior . In this theory , there is the issue of performance standard which form the base of this theory . The performance standard shows a set target of performance which the

workers are supposed to achieve . In this case the performance standard acts as an intrinsic reinforcement or intrinsic punishment for the workers (Bandura 1988

For example , if James and Peter works for the same company and similar position . James and Peter don 't have a performance standard or a measure of performance set by the company . This would imply that however much difference between the levels of performance of the two workers , nobody would comment on their performance . If the company set a performance standard to be achieved by the two workers it would then follow that the performance standard would be an evaluation measure of their work . The performance standard would create an inward force reinforcement to the workers if it ids achieved . In this case if James is able to achieve the standard performance and Peter is not . This would motivate James even to work harder and there he will be seen as a more valuable asset to the company than Peter . On the other hand Peter will be de-motivated and there is even a chance of him performing poorly . This is brought about by intrinsic punishment . He will feel as a liability to the company and he will not be expecting positive comments from the company . In this theory of social cognitive theory therefore puts forward the issue of a self regulated system of human behavior . In our example peter will not be de-motivated by comments from the company 's manager . He will have an inner self de-motivating force that will change his behavior either for worse or better . On the other hand James might end up doing beyond the performance standards . This may not necessarily come from the company 's manager comment . It will be a change of behavior resulting from intrinsic reinforcement . The intrinsic reinforcement in such a case is an inner ward force that motivates James and makes him motivated to work beyond the company 's set of standard . It is therefore clearly noted that the two workers have a behavior change which is brought about by an inner force that either bring punishment of reinforcement

These inner forces are the intrinsic reinforcement and intrinsic punishment . They work automatically in the human being behavioral system . They lead to a change of behavior of a person without any external force . In this theory of social cognitive therefore , the basic issue in many organization is the performance standard . This is a measure of performance set by organization on...